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David Kirkby's avatar

An interesting and thoughtful meditation, Anu.

Most Poets (and artists too) are great observers. The nature of being a Poet is to see what other people might not, or to see significance in something others might also see - but disregard.

Then a poet goes one step further, from being a witness, to bearing witness - communicating their vision to others in the form of words, spoken or written.

As soon as we do that, we create meaning - often a meaning deeply articulated with emotion, because the nature of being human is to respond to the world with emotion. The emotion is not "in" the words. The emotion is in the reader and yes - I would say just as you said to your friend - it is the reader who ultimately has to find their response inside themselves - happiness, sadness, anger, grief....

From a Vedantic perspective - what does this make the Poet?

And yes, I realise that by saying "I am.. a Poet" I am focussing on a role, but if that role is inherently linked to being a sakshi.... is it just a role?

I have a genuine interest. Strange - but true - I recently took a ride in a taxi and the driver, a most fascinating and sincere man, turned out to be a student, and Teacher, of both the Vedas and of theoretical physics. He was handsome, charismatic, and a compelling intellect, with words of genuine wisdom.

I felt as if the cab was my chariot, and the driver was.......

Well. I'm a Poet. What else could I think?

And there is a poem in that experience, or maybe an entire novel, but I think I need to read the Gita first.

Best Wishes from Australia - Dave :)

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Anu Prabhala's avatar

You are most welcome. I am a novice seeker, I’ll check my understanding with my guru as well:)

Yes indeed about DC…sigh. I am just tuning off.

I loved Levanto and the landscapes some of your writing evokes is stunning! What part of Australia are you at?

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Anu Prabhala's avatar

Hi David, the Bhagavad Geeta itself is a poem or a song that Lord Krishna narrates. So you are in good company:)

Being a sakshi, I am a writer, my guru is a spiritual leader, and someone else might be an athlete. Sakshi does not mean inaction—indeed one must always act per Vedanta; that’s our karma yoga!

Being a sakshi or an observer, one must play their “roles” mom, dad, poet, wife, manager etc. Work must always be done with no eye on the fruits of our action, and to our best, because our Self - that Sakshi, Atman, Brahman, the divine is perfect.

Yes, everything but “I am” is a role in that we must not identify the role as our Self, but role is not derogatory in any sense. It merely indicates that we must not confuse our true Self with anything but “I am” and our roles still must be played to their best and cheerfully to manifest our inner perfection, keep a lid on our desires and our mind. and get us closer and closer to the divine in us. In fact that is the only way to be!

So be the best poet you are and can be, as perfecting your art for the sake of gives you appreciation of what your Self is capable of, and Self is God in Vedanta.

Thank you for your thought provoking comment, and I’d only imagine it’d be so much nicer in Australia than the 18F in Washington, DC!

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David Kirkby's avatar

And thank you, Anu, for your thoughtful reply.

Yes - most places are better to be than Washington, right now, I would think - and not just because of the weather.

I have written some warm, sunny, Summer beach poetry recently - if you feel like a breath of warmth....

Very Best Wishes to you - Dave :)

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